BLET News
BLET members ratify five-year deal with WNYP
On November 11, BLET members ratified a new five-year agreement with the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP), governing rates of pay, benefits, and work rules. The agreement runs through 2030 and provides for a guaranteed 40-hour work week, a signing...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with SEPTA
The BLET has reached a tentative one-year deal with SEPTA for locomotive engineers who operate regional rail trains for the transit agency. Ballots were mailed last week. If ratified by the members, the deal would build upon gains achieved in the previous round of...
BLET reaches tentative agreement for CPKC Soo Line locomotive engineers
Ballots are due back to the National Division by Thursday, December 11. Photo by Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659 ____________________ The BLET has reached a tentative five-year agreement with the CPKC for locomotive engineers who work on the CPKC Soo Line territory....
BLET holds Town Hall meetings in Pennsylvania, more dates added for the upcoming weeks
BLET members turned out in strong numbers and came prepared with thoughtful, detailed questions at our recent Town Hall meetings in Harrisburg, PA, on November 16, and Pittsburgh, PA, on November 17. See photo highlights of the Pennsylvania meetings. The discussions...
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in a Sunday front page story, highlights safety concerns with the proposed rail merger
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in a Sunday front page story that in the aftermath of the devastating 2023 East Palestine chemical spill and fire, Norfolk Southern invested hundreds of millions of dollars to boost safety through improved training programs,...
BLET Town Hall Meetings set for Spokane, Alliance, & Kansas City — Plus December Zoom Sessions
All BLET members are encouraged to attend the upcoming Town Hall meetings to discuss the terms of the tentative national agreement. These meetings are an opportunity for members to hear directly from national officers, ask questions, and share feedback. In addition to...
BLET to host Town Hall Meeting in Roanoke on November 21
The BLET will host a Town Hall Meeting in Roanoke, Va., on Friday, November 21, to discuss the terms of the tentative national agreement. This in-person meeting will provide an opportunity for members to hear directly from national officers, ask questions, and share...
Federal government shutdown ends after 43 days, the longest in U.S. history
The federal government shutdown that began on October 1 came to an end this week after Republican and Democratic Senators struck a deal on the evening of November 9. The 43-day shutdown was the longest in American history. The Senate on November 11 passed the deal by...
Ballots mailed in tentative agreement with Indiana & Ohio Railway
The BLET has reached a tentative agreement (TA) with the Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY). Ballots were mailed to members this week. The five-year TA runs through 2030 and provides a 7% general wage increase (GWI) for 2026, with 4% GWIs each year from 2027-2030....
Three Town Hall meetings set for next week to discuss tentative national agreement
All BLET members are invited to three Town Hall meetings next week to discuss the tentative national agreement. These meetings are an opportunity for members to hear directly from national officers, ask questions, and share feedback. Details are as follows:...
Veterans Day 2025: BLET thanks all veterans and their families
On this Veterans Day, the BLET thanks all members who have served in our nation’s armed services. Thank you for your service and the sacrifices made by you and your families. We salute you.
RRB announces new location for Boston field office
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced that its Boston District Office has moved to a new location. RRB previously announced similar field office relocations in Ohio and Minnesota (details here). The RRB said the moves are part of a series of relocations...
Railroad Retirement Board: Monthly annuities, earnings limits will rise in 2026
Most railroad retirement annuities, like Social Security benefits, will increase in January 2026. Cost-of-living increases are calculated each year in both the Tier I and Tier II portions of a railroad retirement annuity. The Tier I portion, like Social Security...
BLET National Division staffer Sandra Slaughter retires
National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes (left) with retiring BLET staff member Sandra Slaughter, Executive Assistant to the President’s Staff. ____________________ The BLET National Division celebrated the retirement of Sandra Slaughter, Executive Assistant to the...
BLET Town Hall Meetings — Next Week
All BLET members are invited to two Town Hall meetings next week to discuss the tentative national agreement. These meetings are an opportunity for members to hear directly from national officers, ask questions, and share feedback: Tuesday, November 11 – Needles, CA/...
Deadline extended through November 14 to enroll in Health FSA program
The deadline for BLET members to enroll or change their Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2026 benefit year has been extended from October 31 to midnight on November 14, 2025. It’s important to note that members must enroll...
BLET reaches tentative agreement on national contract
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) today reached a tentative national agreement with freight railroads represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC). Highlights of the tentative five-year contract include: General wage...
BLET’s District of Columbia Legislative Board hosts 20th anniversary celebration
From left: Herbert Harris Jr., Chairman; Kelly Hamrick, Alternate Secretary-Treasurer; Vince Verna, BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative; Dorian Potts, Secretary-Treasurer; and Carlyle Smith, First Vice Chairman. ____________________ Members...
Illinois legislature approves $1.5 billion spending bill to fund mass transit, avert fiscal cliff
Early this morning, the Illinois Legislature passed a bill that averts the fiscal cliff at Metra, PACE and CTA by providing $1.5 billion in public transit funding. Governor Pritzker is expected to sign bill into law. About 300 BLET members work for Metra as locomotive...
Bob Peters elected General Chairman of NS-Northern Lines GCA as Dewayne Dehart retires after a dozen years in the elected office
Bob Peters was elected General Chairman of the BLET’s Norfolk Southern-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting at BLET National Division headquarters on October 20-21, 2025. The NS-N GCA represents more than 2,400 active and...
Daily Headlines
UP, NS shareholders support $85 billion merger
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board must still approve it before the deal can be completed.
NTSB releases preliminary report on fatal accident involving BLET member working as a BNSF conductor
The worker killed was identified as 52-year-old Daniel Peterson of Billings, Mont., a member of BLET Division 232 (Laurel, Montana).
CN reports Q3 2025 results
CN reported that its net income was C$1,139 million in Q3 2025, an increase of C$54 million, or 5%.
CPCK reports Q3 2025 results
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced its third-quarter results, including revenues of $3.7 billion.
BNSF reports Q3 2025 results
The railway’s operating ratio was 64.1%, a 1-point improvement over a year ago.
Union Pacific reports Q3 2025 results
Union Pacific Corporation reported 2025 third quarter net income of $1.8 billion, or $3.01 per diluted share. Results include merger costs of $41 million, or $0.07 per diluted share.
Norfolk Southern reports Q3 2025 results
For the quarter, revenue was $3.1 billion, income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, operating ratio was 64.6%, and diluted earnings per share were $3.16.
CSX reports Q3 2025 results
CSX Corp. announced third quarter operating income of $1.09 billion and net earnings of $694 million, or $0.37 per share. In the third quarter of 2024, the company reported operating income of $1.35 billion and net earnings of $894 million, or $0.46 per share.
Railroads spurn C3RS, a safety system designed to prevent accidents
Class I freight railroads incorrectly assume a punitive approach to safety gets the best results.
NS agrees to give Amtrak highest priority over freight trains and make its delay records for Amtrak trains available to the DOJ
As a result of the settlement, the Justice Department has moved to dismiss its lawsuit against Norfolk Southern.
